RAILWAY TRAFFIC.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 119, 22 April 1925, Page 12

RAILWAY TRAFFIC.

FOR EASTER PERIOD. The Easter holiday period witnessed a substantial increase in railway passenger traffic, the long distance traffic l>eing particularly heavy, and in some respects the bookings at the local station approach fresh records. As a direct result of the newly introduced fares of passengers travelling to race meetings, no less than 1976 racegoers proceeded to Redding by rail, marking an increase of 350 over the 1924 figures. On the opening day, 166 first-class, and 713 second-class tickets were issued at the local station, while on the second day these figures were further eclipsed, there being 180 firstclass anti 917 second-class tickets issued. The travellers were accommodated in two special trains on the Easter Saturday and by three specials on the Monday. The time-table was so arranged as to permit of tile linking up with trains from Dannevirke, Mastorton, Foxton and Paekakariki, the return train connecting with the Wairarapa bound trains at Terrace End, and tho southern and Foxton trains at Palmerston North. It was quite remarkable, stated Mr O’Shea, the local stationmaster, the number of people who elected to come by line from Foxton,’ the accommodation being filled to capacity on both days. In view of the popularity which has attended the introduction of the scheme, an endeavour is to be made to have sufficient car accommodation provided in future in preference to the covered waggons, which it was necessary to press into use this year to accommodate the surplus. The number of passengers booked for the whole Easter period (April 7 to 13) at Palmerston North station was 6228, compared with 5582 for the previous Easter, ail increase of 646. The revenue was £2588 3s 9d as against £2492 10s or £95 13s 9d better than twelve months ago. This is considered satisfactory in view of the cheaper excursions to Feilding races and the restrictions in connection with the infantile paralysis epidemic. A feature of the long distance traffic, added Mr O’Shea, was the .popularity of the “Limited” expresses. The bookings for this train were restricted at this end to permit of the catering of southern passengers, but to obtain the faster service many joined these trains at Palmerston North fully prepared to forego seats therein. The public is evidently realising the advantages of booking their seats some days beforehand, the bookings- being particularly heavy throughout, which was not only an advantage to the travellers, but to the department, for it relieved the congestion at the station booking windows at train times.